One of the very best movies of the 21st century is on TV tonight

Cillian Murphy won an Oscar for his role in the 2023 thriller.

The Cork actor plays the lead role of American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, for which he won an Academy Award.

The three-hour long historical drama, which was directed by Christopher Nolan, tells the story of the physicist who led the Manhattan Project during World War II.

The film follows his journey from a brilliant but idealistic scientist to the moral and emotional struggles he faces after helping develop the first atomic bomb.

It explores the tension between scientific ambition, patriotism, as well as the devastating consequences of creating a weapon of mass destruction, showing both the historical events and Oppenheimer’s personal conflicts as he grapples with the impact of his work.

The film garnered near unanimous praise from critics – receiving a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score – and took home seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.).

Oppenheimer airs on BBC Two tonight at 10pm.

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

About a Boy – RTÉ One – 9.30pm

2002 romantic comedy adapted from Nick Hornby's novel, starring Hugh Grant, Toni Collette, Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Weisz.

GoldenEye – RTÉ Two – 6.15pm

James Bond investigates the theft of a top-secret helicopter and a deadly satellite weapon, uncovering a vengeful criminal with ties to his past.

Beau Is Afraid – Channel 4 – 12.05am

An anxious man faces a surreal series of events while trying to visit his mother.

The Inbetweeners 2 – E4 – 9pm

2014 blockbusting comedy sequel spun off from the hit sitcom, starring Simon Bird, James Buckley, Joe Thomas and Blake Harrison.

Beware My Brethren – Legend – 3.30am

A journalist infiltrates a sinister cult and uncovers a deadly mission to kill so-called sinners.